Performance of PV integrated dynamic overhangs applied to US homes.

The performance of PV-integrated dynamic overhangs is evaluated when applied to windows for a prototypical home located in various US climates. The analysis includes both the shading effects on heating and cooling thermal loads as well as the electricity generated by the PV arrays. The dynamic overhangs can slide and rotate to maximize both their shading impacts and their PV generation levels. Various control strategies are investigated to operate the PV-integrated dynamic overhangs to minimize annual net energy demand for US home. A series of analyses are conducted to assess the impact of the design features of the overhangs, operation strategies, as well as the climatic conditions. The series of analyses indicate that the PV-integrated dynamic overhangs can provide significant benefits both for managing the shading effects and for generating electricity. Specifically, PV-integrated dynamic overhangs can achieve 57.8% savings in total annual energy demand for a home located in San Francisco, CA, due to the window shading effects of the overhangs and the PV electricity generation. Moreover, several design features can be optimized to enhance the performance of PV-integrated dynamic overhangs such as their geometry as well as the size and the orientation of the windows. • A novel rotating and sliding overhang is evaluated for US residential buildings. • Hourly, daily, and monthly settings are considered for the dynamic overhangs. • Optimal control strategies are identified to operate the dynamic overhangs. • The proposed dynamic overhangs can reduce by up to 50% the energy use for homes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]